Guidance

Terms of Reference

Published 30 September 2024

1. Sir Michael Barber, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Effective Delivery

(Direct Ministerial Appointment)

1.1 Role

Sir Michael is appointed by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster as the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Effective Delivery. 

1.2 Duration

The appointment will begin on 30 September 2024, and will conclude on 30 September 2025, with the possibility of extension. 

There is no presumption of extension or reappointment. Any reappointment or extension of Sir Michael’s appointment will only be made with agreement by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. 

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster can terminate this appointment at any time if Sir Michael is guilty of any misconduct that makes him unsuitable to continue to hold this appointment; or Sir Michael is, in the opinion of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, unable or unfit to discharge the functions of the appointment for any other reason of whatsoever nature.

1.3 Role specification

The Prime Minister is seeking advice on what it will take to deliver the ambitious agenda set out in his five Missions and to ensure they result in outcomes that matter to citizens. 

The postholder will be responsible for providing expert advice personally to the Prime Minister, in collaboration with other senior civil servants, advisers and ministers engaged in delivery of the Missions. This advice will cover the necessary organisation and processes to ensure the centre of government, and government as a whole, are effective, focused and deliver the required outcomes. 

With this in mind the post holder needs to meet the following criteria: 

• Extensive experience of effective delivery of major programmes in different contexts; 
• Extensive experience of providing personal advice to senior Ministers and Prime Ministers; 
• Excellent judgement, including outstanding political awareness and a track record of operating with credibility at the most senior levels of government (or equivalent);
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with partners across and beyond Government; and
• Excellent communication skills with a proven track record of influencing effectively at the most senior levels, both internally and externally.

The role will initially be a 12-month fixed term appointment, approximately 0.2 full-time equivalent (FTE), that could be extended. In the event of a change in government, the post would be terminated by default. 

1.4 Governance and ways of working

The sponsor for this role will be Clara Swinson, Head of the Mission Delivery Unit. Clara will meet with Sir Michael on at least a monthly basis in order to ensure delivery of these Terms of Reference. 

In addition to advising the PM, it will be essential for Sir Michael to work collaboratively with the key people involved in delivering the Missions, including the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and the Head of the Mission Delivery Unit. In addition, as appropriate, he might engage directly with the Chancellor of the Exchequer and other Cabinet Ministers involved in delivering the Missions, as well as with the Cabinet Secretary and relevant permanent secretaries.

Sir Michael will have a regular monthly check-in with the PM to discuss progress on delivery, any feedback he has gathered on how the system is working and relevant lessons from experience elsewhere. He will also provide a short monthly note to the PM summarising his key messages. He will have a standing invitation to attend stocktakes or Mission Boards or other relevant meetings, as determined by the PM.

As with all such appointees, Sir Michael will follow the Seven Principles of Public Life and adhere to the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies.

As is also standard, for transparency purposes, this appointment will be announced on gov.uk once a grid slot has been agreed by the Cabinet Office with No.10.

Information or insights arising from this role may not be used, referenced or shared externally during the period of the appointment or subsequent to it, in line with the duty of confidentiality that applies to such appointments.

Sir Michael will be provided with IT by Number 10, and have access to relevant official and Ministerial papers, subject to the usual security clearance process.

Sir Michael is not an employee of the Department. Accordingly, nothing in these terms shall be construed as, or taken to create, a contract of employment between him and the Department.

Any expenses will be covered by the Cabinet Office, though significant expenses are not expected.

1.5 Conflicts of Interest

Sir Michael will declare any conflicts of interest in the usual way for direct ministerial appointments and he will work with Clara to manage any potential, actual or perceived conflicts. Sir Michael will comply with the measures and mitigations set out by the Senior Sponsor, with support from the Propriety and Ethics Team if required. 

He will not undertake any work for the UK government with Delivery Associates during the period of his appointment, and Delivery Associates will be neither advantaged nor disadvantaged in relation to any potential future work on the basis of Sir Michael’s appointment. Sir Michael and his Senior Sponsor will ensure that he recuses himself from any work where such a conflict or perceived conflict may arise, and in particular that no information gained through his appointment will be shared with Delivery Associates that could benefit its UK or international work.